CHAMPIONS IN KENTUCKY: THE STORY OF THE 1988 BREEDERS' CUP

The Thoroughbred, perhaps the most majestic athlete in all of sports...his is a heritage of enduring spirit, electrifying speed and unyielding courage. The Blue Grass country of Kentucky is home to racing's legends and the birthplace of future champions. In the Fall of 1988, the fifth Breeders' Cup came to Kentucky for the first time to fabled Churchill Downs - the famed twin spires would be a most fitting backdrop to racing's newest "Championship Day." A special feeling of excitement surrounded the fifth running of the Breeders' Cup and Louisville was quick to catch the spirit. Anticipation was building as America's most historic race track was ready to host its first Breeders' Cup.

As 70,000 fans filed into Churchill Downs for this premiere day of racing, the stage was set for a day to remember...it was a dark, chilly, wet afternoon but nevertheless a day of high drama. The Breeders' Cup is racing's, "Super Bowl"...seven championship races for a total of $10 million. It is clearly a day reserved for the sport's superstars.

Come along for the ride as this upbeat and JOHN FORSYTHE-narrated documentary takes you through all seven Breeders' Cup races complete with interesting stories of various race favorites, interviews with their human connections and basically gives you a sampling of all the activities leading up to and including the big race day.

Highlights of some of the day's unforgettable moments include: superstar jockey, ANGEL CORDERO, breaking his Breeders' Cup jinx of only winning one race in 26 Breeders' Cup attempts in a dramatic effort aboard the D. WAYNE LUKAS-trained, GULCH, in the Sprint and OPEN MIND in the Juvenile Filly; JULIE KRONE the first female jockey to ever ride in a Breeders' Cup event. No trainer has stamped his emblem on as many Breeders' Cup championships as D. WAYNE LUKAS and for, "Team Lukas", the fifth Breeders' Cup was yet another opportunity to re-write their records. Remarkably he sent out a powerful 5-horse arsenal in the days second event, the 12-horse field of the Juvenile Fillies and wound up finishing 1, 2, and 3!

For over a century many of the sport's great horses have made their marks in history at Churchill Downs and that tradition of greatness was expected to be continued on Breeders' Cup day by an exceptional undefeated filly named, PERSONAL ENSIGN - the overwhelming Distaff betting favorite owned and bred by the distinguished Ogden Phipps of the Phipps Racing Stable. In a race with destiny, WINNING COLORS...that year's Kentucky Derby winner, sought to end PERSONAL ENSIGN's 12-race winning streak by grabbing and holding onto the uncontested lead. Running out of ground and seemingly beaten, PERSONAL ENSIGN unleashed a furious run strides from the wire and nipped WINNING COLORS in a dramatic finish! Facing defeat for the first time, PERSONAL ENSIGN dug in courageously with heart and determination and stamped herself a champion. It was one of the most stunning victories in racing history. She ended her career in grand style becoming the first major American champion to retire undefeated in 80 years.

Horses and fans alike journeyed from all over to be a part of this special day in sports and among those was the French filly, MIESQUE, who came to Churchill Downs in hopes of repeating her championship performance in last year's Breeders' Cup Mile...her resounding victory made her the first horse to win consecutive championships in Breeders' Cup history - successfully defending her title!

In the Juvenile, most of the attention was focused on the highly-touted, EASY GOER from the powerful Phipps Stable. In the day's biggest upset, EASY GOER closed ground too late and failed to catch LUKAS-trained, IS IT TRUE in the final yards - a disappointing outcome for the overwhelming betting choice.

Impending darkness added to the drama surrounding the $3 million Classic - the star attraction was the 1987 Kentucky Derby Champion, ALYSHEBA, whose road to the Breeders' Cup took him around the nation to tracks from coast to coast. In an attempt to upset ALYSHEBA in his final career start were FORTY NINER and SEEKING THE GOLD, two precocious sons of America's leading sire...the immortal, MR. PROSPECTOR.

See X-rare footage of MR. PROSPECTOR residing at Claiborne Farm being walked around by his groom and frolicking with 1987 Breeders' Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year, FERDINAND - his adjoining paddock buddy! As ALYSHEBA, the nation's most popular horse took his final warm-up, electricity filled the air...the world's richest race was about to begin. Under the lights of the twin spires in an eerie darkness, ALYSHEBA confidently charged down the stretch to become the world's leading money winner, surpassing JOHN HENRY's record and stamped himself as the finest horse in training earning racing's highest honor...America's Horse of the Year. It was a time to rejoice...on a wet, November evening, ALYSHEBA had taken his place in Thoroughbred racing history.

For racing fans everywhere, these were the racing memories in Kentucky for the 1988 Breeders' Cup.

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